Europe's Efforts to Impose New Sanctions Against Russia; Iranian and Chinese Companies Also Targeted

European Union member states began negotiations on Wednesday regarding proposed new sanctions against Russia due to its military aggression in Ukraine. According to Reuters, these sanctions will also target Chinese and Iranian companies and limit third countries' exports due to violations of imposed trade restrictions. A diplomat stated that the negotiations among EU representatives are expected to be tense, as critics of Russia believe the proposal does not go far enough, while others are concerned about harming their international relations. Several diplomats indicated that differing viewpoints on this matter suggest that a swift agreement is unlikely. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, unveiled the plan during a symbolic visit to Kyiv on Tuesday. This plan is a response to the annual Victory Day celebrations in Moscow, which Russian President Vladimir Putin likens to his military invasion of Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen stated that the new sanctions will focus on combating the circumvention of trade restrictions against Russia; restrictions that have already been imposed, and are designed in "very close coordination" with G7 countries. She said, "If we see goods going from the EU to third countries and then reaching Russia, we can propose to member states to sanction the export of those goods. This tool will be a last resort and will be used cautiously." The European Commission President further added that the EU will stop the transit of more of its exports, including advanced technology products and aircraft parts, through Russia. Diplomatic sources familiar with the plan indicate that the list includes "dozens" of new companies from China, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. According to this source, the new sanctions will not allow tankers to unload in open seas and they cannot enter ports by turning off their GPS trackers; actions aimed at circumventing G7 restrictions on Russian oil trade. All 27 EU member countries must agree to the new sanctions, which will be the eleventh round of such actions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This is the first time the EU has targeted China over allegations regarding Beijing's role in the war, prompting the Chinese Foreign Ministry to issue a warning to the EU. A diplomatic source from an EU country opposed to Russia expressed disappointment that the Commission's proposal did not include stopping imports of Russian diamonds or cooperation in nuclear energy. Conversely, a diplomatic source from a country critical of the sanctions stated that the proposal to target third countries is likely to lead to a heated debate.